Community Corner

14 Miles of Turnpike to Close Sunday Morning

The turnpike will close from Sunday morning at midnight to 6 a.m.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike will close between the Downingtown (Exit 312) and Valley Forge (Exit 326) interchanges Sunday morning from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission in March began work to remove a bridge in Charlestown Township that will be replaced by a new bridge after the turnpike is widened. The turnpike is being closed for safety reasons as steel girders are removed Sunday. 

Below is the full release with suggested detour routes from the PA Turnpike Commission:

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PA Turnpike to close for Six Hours Early Sunday for Bridge Work 

I-76 will shut down from midnight to 6 a.m. between Valley Forge and Downingtown.

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The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission cautions motorists that a 14-mile stretch of the toll road will be closed in both directions for six hours April 28 between Valley Forge (Exit #326) and Downingtown (Exit #312), which will include the Route 29 E-ZPass Only Interchange (Exit #320). The closure is necessary for the protection of travelers and workers during the removal of steel girders from the bridge that carries Valley Hill Road over the Turnpike at milepost 316.5 in Charlestown Township, Chester County.

At 12:01 a.m. April 28, westbound traffic will be diverted off at the Valley Forge Interchange and eastbound traffic will exit at the Downingtown Interchange. At the same time, no traffic will be permitted to enter the system from State Route 29 and Atwater Drive. The Turnpike will reopen to one lane in each direction by 6 a.m. Sunday. 

Prior to the shut-down, motorists should be prepared for the right lane to be closed eastbound and westbound at 8 p.m. April 27 between milepost 315-317. The speed limit will be posted at 40 mph until the single-lane patterns are lifted by 7 a.m. Sunday. Construction-zone speed limits are enforceable and fines will be doubled. The Valley Forge Service Plaza will remain open (eastbound) until midnight.

Pennsylvania State Police and Turnpike personnel will be positioned at the Valley Forge and Downingtown interchanges to assist motorists. Motorists can tune to radio 1640 AM for detour information and traffic conditions or call the Turnpike Roadway Information line at 866.976.8747. Changeable message signs will also provide updated information regarding closures and detours. Motorists are encouraged to plan travel accordingly. For emergencies, dial *11 on your mobile phone.

DETOURS

Traveling westbound on I-76 - Exit at Valley Forge Interchange (#326). Take Interstate 76 east (.5 miles) to U.S. Route 202 south (12 miles) U.S. Route 30 west (2.5 miles) to State Route 100 north (5 miles). Reenter the Pennsylvania Turnpike at the Downingtown Interchange (#312). Eastbound will be open to traffic. 

Traveling eastbound on I-76 – Exit at Downingtown Interchange (#312). Take State Route 100 south (5 miles) to U.S. Route 30 east (2.5 miles) U.S. Route 202 north (12 miles) to Interstate 76 west (.5 mile). Reenter the Pennsylvania Turnpike at the Valley Forge Interchange (#326). Westbound will be open to traffic 

In case of inclement weather, the closure will be rescheduled for May 11-12 with times and operation information still applicable.

Travelers can get Turnpike traffic alerts by visiting the live Travel Conditions Map online atwww.paturnpike.com/webmap. The Turnpike’s smartphone app, TRIP Talk, streams audio advisories to iPhone and Droid users so they can keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. To download the free app, visit www.paturnpike.com/triptalk.


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